System and Method for Authorizing and Monetizing Collect Cellular Telephone Calls

ABSTRACT

The collect cellular call identifies the cellular telephone carrier and called party cell phone. After determining whether the carrier and phone accept message service charges (SMS), a voice response module seeks positive authorization from the called party with the telephone. If positive, the system facilitates a connection between the calling party and the called party and initiates a predetermined billing charge assigned to the cellular telephone number. If the carrier or the cell phone is not enabled or if no authorization is obtained from the called party, the system facilitates a denial of completion signal. A timer monitors the length a the collect cellular call. Databases are accessed to locate the carrier and called cell phone number approved list of numbers and deny-service list of numbers.

This is a regular patent application based upon and claiming the benefitof priority of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/935,634, filedAug. 23, 2007, the content of which is incorporated herein by referencethereto.

The present invention relates to a method, a system and programminginstructions stored on computer readable medium for authorizing andmonetizing collect cellular telephone calls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In some situations, a calling party cannot easily establish a telephonetelecommunications link with another called party. This is particularlytrue when the calling party is in a physically restricted environmentsuch as a prison, hospital or other controlled facility. In thissituation, the calling party must use a specially configured telephonewhich accesses an operator service provider (OSP) and that OSP thenassists the calling party to reach the called party. In thesesituations, the called party's telephone must accept collect calls. Inthe absence of the collect call acceptance by the called party, thetelephone telecommunications link is not established and the callingparty is blocked from communicating over the telephone due to actions bythe OSP (electronic denial of service).

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and amethod for authorizing and monetizing collect cellular telephone calls.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system anda method wherein authorization requires a positive response, either apositive voice response or a positive touch tone response or a positivetext message response, from the called party in possession of anidentifiable cellular telephone.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide both internaland external databases with a white list or approved cellular phonelist, capable of accepting cellular collect calls, and a black list or“service denied” list containing cellular telephone numbers which areblocked due to various considerations.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provideinspirational information to the called party as part of the collectcellular telephone call.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The method of authorizing and monetizing a cellular collect callrequires identifying the cellular telephone carrier associated with anidentified cellular telephone having a certain telephone number. Afterdetermining whether the carrier and the cellular telephone is enabled toaccept a message service charge (premium SMS), a voice response moduleis activated seeking a positive authorization from the called party inpossession of the cellular telephone. If the carrier and the telephoneis enabled and a positive response is obtained from the called party onthe identified cellular telephone, the system facilitates a connectionbetween the calling party and the called party and initiates apredetermined billing charge assigned to the cellular telephone number.If the carrier or the cell phone is not enabled or if no authorizationis obtained from the called party, the system facilitates a denial ofcompletion of the collect cellular telephone call (a refusal to connectthe caller and the called party). A timing function is often activatedupon facilitating the connection between the calling party and thecalled party. In order to determine whether a collect cellular telephonecall will be accepted by an identified cellular telephone, databases areaccessed and one of these databases includes prior billing records ofcellular telephone numbers. The designated database has an approved listof cellular telephone numbers (a white list) and a denied-service listof cellular telephone numbers (a black list). In the denied-servicelist, the designated database typically includes an indicatorreferencing prior charge backs for the assigned cellular telephonenumber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects and advantages of the present invention can be found inthe detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of the telephone communications system; and

FIGS. 2, 2A and 2B diagrammatically illustrate a block-diagram flowchartshowing many functional aspects and software modules for the collectcell phone program.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention relates to a system, a method and programminginstructions stored on computer readable medium for authorizing andmonetizing collect cellular telephone calls. Similar numerals designatesimilar items throughout all the figures. The following AbbreviationsTable shows several abbreviations used in the drawings and in thedescription of the present inventive system, method and program. Theterm “monetization” refers to utilizing a certain feature of cell phonetelecommunications and collecting money employing that cell phonefeature.

In the prior art, it is known that some cell phones and sometelecommunications cellular telephone carriers permit cell phones, whichare connected to the telecommunications carrier wireless network, toaccept charges for short message charges or SMS charges. Particularly,SMS premium charges may be permitted by both the cellular carrier andthe cell phone. Sometimes, a carrier handles SMS charges but will notpermit certain cell phones on its network to accept SMS premium charges.SMS technology has facilitated the development and growth of textmessaging and is sometimes called herein “message service communicationsprotocol.”

The term “cellular telephone carrier” includes all types oftelecommunications carriers delivering cellular or other types ofwireless telephone service, either directly or through othertelecommunications entities, to end-users with cellular phones orcellular service enabled devices. “Cell phones” include these cellularservice enabled devices. The cellular telephone carrier may be a thirdparty reseller of cellular phone services (a reseller of Verizon cellphone carrier services). The term “telephone number” includes numericand alphanumeric and symbolic characters. A “cellular telephone number”also includes, in conjunction with the present invention and appendedclaims, either the cell phone number or any unique identifier which, bydata processing methods, is linked or associated with the cellulartelephone number.

Abbreviations Table Admin Administrator ANI automatic numberidentification service or system commonly used to identify a calledtelephone unit ASP application service provider - server on a networkAPI application programming interface bd board CCS Cell Phone ConnectService chg charge, such as charge or invoice a customer for a phonecall ck check or confirm with comm. communications, typicallytelecommunications db data base Disp display doc document equipequipment ext external I/O input/output IVR interactive voice responseservice, system or module id identify int internal mem memory msgmessage OSP Operator Service Provider, as part of a telecommunicationsservice or system sms short message service communications protocol phphone pgm program P/W password Rcd record or log into data in a databaseor record profile re regarding or relating to rel release req requestrev review rpt report sel select serv. service sys system t time telecomtelecommunications system or network URL Uniform Resource Locator, xpointer, or other network locator w/ with

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a system diagram of atelecommunications system. Calling party 10 has access to a land line 12or a cellular telephone 14. In conjunction with the present invention,calling party 10 can only access telecommunications network 15 throughan operator service provider OSP 16. The linkage or coupling or backboneof the telecommunications system 1 is graphically identified astelecommunications network 18. Network 18 may include land lines,satellites, fiber optics, the Internet (see VOIP applications) andwireless networks. Telecommunications network 18 is connected to cellphone connect service (CCS) 20, a called party cell phone carrier 22,cell phone carrier B 24, cellular carrier C 26 and phone serviceprovider telecom 28.

The prior methodology enables calling party 10 via land line 12 toaccess OSP 16. The operator or automated IVR system at OSP 16 recognizesthat calling party 10 wishes to access alternate called party 11 havingland line 29 connected in some fashion to phone service provider 28because caller 10 inputs the phone number of phone 29. The OSP 16utilizes telecommunications network 18 to access phone service provider28 which provider 28 then calls alternate called party 11. OSP 16 theninquires through phone service provider 28 whether alternate calledparty 11 will accept the collect call. If YES, the collect call isconnected between caller party 10 and alternate called party 11. Phoneservice provider 28 bills the owner of telephone 29 for the collectcall.

In contrast, called party 30 utilizing cell phone 31 may or may not beenabled or permitted to accept collect calls.

A reasonable number of cellular telecom carriers are unable or unwillingto bill the owner of cell phone 31 for collect calls. Sometimes in thispatent description, reference is made to a “message service billingcharge” which refers to charges billed to the account for cell phone 31by cellular carrier 22. Premium SMS or message service billing chargesmay be $10 or higher per unit event (for example, 20 minutes of calltime). Multiple message service billings or variable message servicebillings may be employed herein.

In contrast, a reasonable number of cellular telephones and/or cellphone carriers 22 do permit billing of SMS or message service billingcharges to a particular cellular telephone account. Therefore, adetermination must be made early in the “collect call” process toascertain whether cell phone carrier 22 is enabled to accept messageservice billing and is enabled to charge their customers for suchmessage service bills. Also, a determination must be made that aparticular identifiable cellular telephone is enabled to accept thesemessage service billing charges. Calling party 10 employing atelecommunications device with operator service provider 16, inputs acalled cellular telephone number which may be associated with eithercell phone carrier 22 or cell carrier B 24 or cell carrier C 26.Therefore, the system must ascertain what cell phone carrier is linkedto the input cellular telephone number.

A diagrammatic billing cycle for the message service billing is shown bybilling service computer program module 35 which sends a bill 36 (paperor electronic or charge slip to a bank or a credit card or a financialinstitution) to called party 30. Called party 30 then authorizes orpermits withdraw of money or compensation which payment is ultimatelylogged or recorded by billing module 35 and cell phone carrier 22. Partof that money paid by called party 30 in the present invention isdelivered to CCS 20 for compensation of the inventive system and methodfor collect cellular telephone calls. This process monetizes the collectcell phone call.

FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates functional block diagrams and cellphone program modules which may be employed in conjunction with thepresent inventive method and system. It should be noted that thesequence of operation of the collect cell phone program 48 in FIGS. 2,2A and 2B may be rearranged in any sequence unless otherwise specifiedherein. Some modules may be combined with others or expanded to includefeatures discussed herein. General comments regarding the system andmethod are found at the end of this detailed description of thepreferred embodiment.

Collect cell phone program 48 begins by calling party 10 (FIG. 1)placing a cellular telephone collect call to operator service providerOSP 16. Calling party 10 inputs a cellular telephone number associatedwith an identifiable cellular telephone 31. The OSP 16 has anapplication programming interface (API) provided by and operating inconjunction with cell phone connect service CCS 20. Effectively, OSP 16and the hardware and software at OSP 16 either is a combination ofsoftware modules (provided by CCS 20) or communicates software andhardware at CCS 20 provided over telecommunications network 18. In anyevent, the OSP 16, in step 52, passes the called cell phone number toCCS 20. In step 54, CCS 20 accesses a database to determine theautomatic number identification (ANI) service. The ANI serviceidentifies which cell carrier 22, 24, 26 is associated with the inputcellular telephone number. Technically, the ANI service is provided viaexternal database 55. There may be one or many data stores or databases.The communications links 54A, 54B in FIG. 2 establish mechanisms andsoftware access modules for returning this information ultimately to CCS20 and to the API at OSP 16. Further, the API and/or the CCS 20determines whether the input number from calling party 10 is an activecellular number and determines whether the cell phone carrier 22 acceptsthe message service billing, in the present situation, an SMS chargeservice.

In step 56, the called cellular telephone 31 of called party 30 is inputor recorded in internal database 57 along with the cell phone carrier.The internal or designated database or data store is typicallymaintained by CCS 20 but may be an external database. As is known in theindustry by person of ordinary skill in the art, the automatic numberidentification (ANI) service and external database 55 is publiclyavailable through reasonable authorization procedures. Internal database57 is internally run by CCS 20. Step 58 accesses the internal database57 and activates a loss prevention system.

One example of an external database 57 is Neustar which enables aninquiring party via a data packet to determine the cell phone carrierfor a particular cell phone telephone which then enables CCS 20 todetermine whether that cell phone carrier will accept SMS or messageservice billing charges.

The loss prevention system operated on and utilizing internal database57 at CCS 20 can be configured in many ways. The loss prevention systemmay include a call frequency analysis program (limiting frequent collectcalls to a single phone), a white list of approved cell phone numbers,and a black list of disapproved or deny-service cell phone numbers. Forexample, if a collect cellular telephone call has been made and a bill36 is sent out but then rejected or charged back by called party 30, thecharge back is recorded in internal database 57 and the denied serviceor black list is updated to include the designated cell phone 31 whichcorrelates to called party 30. Future calls to this denied-servicenumber may be blocked or rejected. The frequency of calls over apredetermined period (monthly) and the total amount of calls during thatperiod may be monitored by the internal loss prevention system andinternal database 57 (the designated data store for CCS20). For example,AT&T, a cellular telephone carrier, limits premium SMS or messagebillings to no more than 5 calls per billing cycle. In contrast,T-Mobile, another cellular carrier, permits no more than 7 SMS ormessage service billings per billing cycle. The CCS loss preventionprogram limits collect calls within these parameters based upon carrierid and frequency of use in a set period of time.

Further, the internal database 57 and loss prevention system andsoftware module may provide a white list or approved cell phone numberswhich override other considerations. For example, if calling party 10 isin prison, and calling party 10's lawyer wishes to speak to prisoner onall occasions, the lawyer, as called party 30 and as owner and inpossession of cell phone 31, may always authorize a collect cell phonecall from calling party 10 to cell phone 31. This cell phone number isposted on the white list.

As a further enhancement, calling party 10 may be required to input aspecial code in order to confirm his or her ability to complete thecollect cellular telephone call. Software modifications would theninclude a password cross-check.

Decision step 60 determines whether the cell phone carrier 22 is enabledto accept message service billing and whether called cellular telephone31 is enabled to accept message service billing. If not, the NO branchfrom decision step 60 is taken, and, in step 71, the caller is returnedto OSP 16 and a voice response or interactive voice response IVR modulemay indicate to calling party 10 that the collect cellular call is notavailable. Step 73 indicates that the IVR announces that the service isnot available and a message to that effect is provided to calling party10. Step 75 indicates that the OSP 16 may provide other options tocaller party 10 such as calling land line 28 and alternate call party11. Step 77 indicates the end of that branch of the API or softwaremodule.

Returning to decision step 60, if the YES branch is taken, in step 62CCS 20 notifies OSP 16 that an active session ID is open. The ID ispassed to OSP 16 as a signal for the “active session.” Optionally, thecell phone carrier identification signal may logged by OSP 16. Step 64activates an IVR or interactive voice response to the called party inpossession of cellular telephone 31. Step 66 continues the collect cellphone program from FIG. 2 to FIG. 2A. Step 68 places a message MSG 1Awhich is audibly heard or visibly presented via a text message to calledparty cell phone 31. One type of message 1A can be as follows: “You havea call from calling party 10 name. For a one time charge of $9.99charged to your wireless cell phone bill, you can be connected for up to20 minutes of talk time. You will also receive an inspirational textalert. You must be 18 years or older to accept this call. Standard textmessage and air time charges may apply. To accept this call, press 1 orsay YES.”

Decision step 70 determines whether called party 30 accepts or deniesthe call. If the called party denies the call either by saying NO,pressing a different number or taking no action (a negative opt in), theNO branch activates program module 81. A positive acceptance or anegative (no action) acceptance may be employed. Step 81 returns asignal to OSP 16 that the call in unbillable. Step 83 triggers a voiceresponse “service not available” message to calling party 10. Step 85notes that the branch ends.

Returning to decision step 70 if the called party possessing identifiedcell phone 31 indicates a positive response by pressing 1 or by sayingYES, the IVR software system notes that positive response and in step72, the IVR software module delivers second message 1B. An example ofthe second message may be as follows: “Thank you. By accepting thiscall, you are agreeing to the terms of this service which can be locatedat web address URL. $9.99 will be charged to your wireless phone billand you will receive your inspirational text message shortly. To confirmthese charges and be connected for up to 20 minutes of talk time, press3.”

Another example, which referred to as the negative option, may be asfollows: “Thank you. By accepting the call, you are agreeing to theterms of this service which can be located at web address URL. $9.99will be charged to your wireless phone bill and you will receive yourinspirational text message shortly.”

Decision step 74 determines whether the called party 30 in possession ofidentified cell phone 31 accepts the collect cellular telephone call.Positive or negative acceptance may be employed. If no, the system takesthe NO branch which returns back to step 81 discussed above. If YES, thesystem activates software module 76 wherein the OSP 16 notifies the CCS20 of the called party cellular telephone number, the active session IDand the price points for the collect call (these price points areoptional). It should be noted that different prices may be assessed fordifferent cellular telephone carriers and different calling parties 10.Therefore, different price points may be identified to OSP 16 ascompared to CSS 20.

Step 78 activates the interactive voice response IVR message “we willconnect you.” Step 80 then delivers an inspirational text message viatext message (msg). A typical inspirational text follows: “No action ismore fascinating than the action of self transformation.” Step 82connects the calling party 10 through the OSP 16 and telecommunicationsnetwork 18 and cell phone carrier 22 to identified cellular telephone31. Substantially concurrently or shortly thereafter, the system in step91 via CCS 20 generates a billing data packet or SMS premium chargelinking the predetermined billing charge to the cellular telephone 31.This billing data packet (billing code, cell phone number, vendor id(CCS)) is sent effectively via telecommunications system 18 to cellphone carrier 22. In step 93, CSS 20 logs or records the call event ininternal database 57. Step 95 ends the branch.

Returning to step 82 wherein the collect cellular telephone call isconnected between calling party 10 and called party 30, either the OSPor the CCS establishes and initiates a timer clock in functional block84. The activation of a timing function by the API at OSP 16 or the CCS20 limits the duration of the collect cellular telephone call. Asillustrated in FIG. 2A, jump step 86 continues the collect cell phoneprogram on FIG. 2B. In step 88, the IVR may generate a time limitreminder to both calling party 10 and called party 30. This audioreminder may say “call will end in 2 minutes” or other predeterminedcall end time indicator. Step 90 shows that a “time up” has been reachedon the functional timer clock. In step 92, the call is ended ordisconnected by OSP 16 or CCS 20.

As explained above, the billing data packet or SMS premium charge issent from CCS 20 to cell phone carrier 22. Periodically during a billingcycle, cell phone carrier 22 activates billing module 35 which generatesbill 36 having the SMS charge or billing data charge. Called party 30may pay this bill as shown by arrow 41 and ultimately a portion of thismoney is paid to CCS 20 as shown by arrow 43. The OSP may also be paidin a revenue sharing system. In the event called party 30 disputes thebill and refuses to pay, this event in the cellular service is called a“charge back.” CCS 20 will accept charge back data from cell phonecarrier 22. This charge back data is then stored in internal database 57and the cell phone number is placed on a black list or deny-servicelist.

In contrast, if the cell phone and the cell phone carrier 22 excepts thebilling data packet and premium SMS charge, the cell phone number andthe cell phone carrier ID is placed on an approved list or white list ininternal database 57. By building a denied-service or black list and anapproved list of cell phone numbers and cell phone carrier IDs, the CCS20 can quickly connect calling party 10 to called party 30 withoutaccessing multiple databases both internal to CCS 20 and external totheir operation. External databases are generally available andaccessible via telecommunications network 18. The use of internaldatabases or data shares reduces costs of operation.

It is important to note that the CCS 20 or the API placed on both OSP 16and CCS 20 does not actually complete the call or deny the cell phonecall but simply facilitates the completion of calls and denial ofservice connections. The facilitation of call completion utilizes aconnection data packet sent to OSP 16. The denial by CCS 20 requiresgenerating a call denied data packet to OSP 16. In any event, theconnection data packet or call denied data packet results in completionof the call by OSP 16 or the refusal to complete the collect cellulartelephone call by OSP 16.

Internal database 57 may record the called cellular telephone number,the associated cell phone carrier, an indication of the predeterminedbilling charge, and time-based data such as date-time stamp associatedwith a completed call, among other things. Internal database 57associated with CCS 20 determines the presence of an earlier record of acell phone number and either connects the call or denies the call bygenerating a connection data packet or a call denied data packet.

The system utilizes software modules which are computer programs andassociated memory units to identify the cellular telephone carrier, anddetermine whether the carrier and the cellular telephone are able toaccept the message service billing charge. The resulting enablementsignal is generated by CSS 20 or the API operating in conjunction withOSP 16 and CCS 20. There may be two enablement signals, one for the cellphone carrier and a second for the identified cell phone or cell phonenumber. The IVR generates signal representing a request forauthorization which are generally identified above as messages 1A and1B. The IVR, as is known by persons of ordinary skill in the art,includes some system or software module to determine a positive audio orelectronic response from call party 30 in possession of cellulartelephone 31. The facilitation of a connection between OSP 16 andcellular telephone 31 is generated by a connection signal ultimatelydeveloped by CCS 20. A system for generating the billing charge orpremium predetermined billing charge is provided by computer systems,memories and programs at CCS 20.

GENERAL COMMENTS REGARDING SYSTEM AND METHOD

The present invention relates to a cell phone collect calling system andmethod on a telecommunications network or in a computer network (LAN orWAN) and, potentially, over the Internet and computer programs, computermodules and an information processing system to accomplish this cellphone collect calling system. In addition to the computer implementationof the inventive aspects of this invention, a computer-based method isalso encompassed herein.

It is important to know that the embodiments illustrated herein anddescribed herein below are only examples of the many advantageous usesof the innovative teachings set forth herein. In general, statementsmade in the specification of the present application do not necessarilylimit any of the various claimed inventions. Moreover, some statementsmay apply to some inventive features but not to others. In general,unless otherwise indicated, singular elements may be in the plural andvice versa with no loss of generality. In the drawings, like numeralsrefer to like parts or features throughout the several views.

The present invention could be produced in hardware or software, or in acombination of hardware and software, and these implementations would beknown to one of ordinary skill in the art. The system, or method,according to the inventive principles as disclosed in connection withthe preferred embodiment, may be produced in a networkedtelecommunications computer system having separate elements or means forperforming the individual functions or steps described or claimed or oneor more elements or means combining the performance of any of thefunctions or steps disclosed or claimed, or may be arranged in adistributed computer system, interconnected by any suitable means aswould be known by one of ordinary skill in the art.

According to the inventive principles as disclosed in connection withthe preferred embodiments, the invention and the inventive principlesare not limited to any particular kind of computer system but may beused with any general purpose computer, as would be known to one ofordinary skill in the art, arranged to perform the functions describedand the method steps described. The operations of such a computer, asdescribed above, may be according to a computer program contained on amedium for use in the operation or control of the computer as would beknown to one of ordinary skill in the art. The computer medium which maybe used to hold or contain the computer program product, may be afixture of the computer such as an embedded memory or may be on atransportable medium such as a disk, as would be known to one ofordinary skill in the art. Further, the program, or components ormodules thereof, may be downloaded from the Internet of otherwisethrough a computer network.

The invention is not limited to any particular computer program or logicor language, or instruction but may be practiced with any such suitableprogram, logic or language, or instructions as would be known to one ofordinary skill in the art. The sequence of operation may be altered,steps or functions combined, and simplified or made more complex asnecessary to carry out the functional purposes of the program step forthherein and in the claims. The functional software modules may beconfigured as APIs in hardware at the CCS and/or OSP as necessary toachieve the functional elements described herein. Without limiting theprinciples of the disclosed invention any such computing system caninclude, inter alia, at least a computer readable medium allowing acomputer to read data, instructions, messages or message packets, andother computer readable information from the computer readable medium.The computer readable medium may include non-volatile memory, such asROM, flash memory, floppy disk, disk drive memory, CD-ROM, and otherpermanent storage. Additionally, a computer readable medium may include,for example, volatile storage such as RAM, buffers, cache memory, andnetwork circuits.

Furthermore, the computer readable medium may include computer readableinformation in a transitory state medium such as a network link and/or anetwork interface, including a wired network or a wireless network, thatallow a computer to read such computer readable information.

The claims appended hereto are meant to cover modifications and changeswithin the scope and spirit of the present invention.

1. A method of authorizing and monetizing a cellular telephonecommunication as a collect call, billed to an identifiable cellulartelephone, over a telecommunications system, initiated by a callingparty over said telecommunications system with an input of a cellulartelephone number associated with said identifiable cellular telephone,said cellular telephone associated with a cellular telephone carrier,the method comprising: identifying said cellular telephone carrierassociated with said cellular telephone number after a call is initiatedby said calling party; determining whether said cellular telephonecarrier and said cellular telephone is enabled to accept a messageservice billing charge; if said carrier and said cellular telephone isenabled, determining an authorization by a positive response from acalled party on said cellular telephone, and (a) facilitating aconnection between said calling party and said called party via saidcellular telephone and (b) initiating a predetermined billing chargetherefor to said cellular telephone number; and if said carrier or saidcellular telephone is not enabled or no authorization is obtained fromsaid called party, facilitating a denial of completion of said collectcellular telephone call by said calling party to said called party.
 2. Amethod of authorizing and monetizing a cellular telephone communicationas a collect call as claimed in claim 1 wherein said initiating saidpredetermined billing charge includes generating billing charge datawith said cellular telephone number and sending said billing charge datato said cellular telephone carrier.
 3. A method of authorizing andmonetizing a cellular telephone communication as a collect call asclaimed in claim 2 including, in conjunction with said facilitating saidconnection, facilitating activation of a timing function to limit aduration of said connection between said connection between said callingparty and said called party.
 4. A method of authorizing and monetizing acellular telephone communication as a collect call as claimed in claim 3wherein said identifying said cellular telephone carrier associated withsaid cellular telephone number interacts with an automatic numberidentification service.
 5. A method of authorizing and monetizing acellular telephone communication as a collect call as claimed in claim 4wherein said determining whether said cellular telephone carrier andsaid cellular telephone is enabled to accept said message servicebilling charge includes accessing one or more data stores.
 6. A methodof authorizing and monetizing a cellular telephone communication as acollect call as claimed in claim 5 including recording, in a designateddata store, which is one of said one or more data stores, saidpredetermined billing charge, time-based data associated therewith andsaid cellular telephone number.
 7. A method of authorizing andmonetizing a cellular telephone communication as a collect call asclaimed in claim 6 wherein determining whether said cellular telephonecarrier and said cellular telephone is enabled to accept said messageservice billing charge includes accessing said designated data store anddetermining the presence of an earlier record of said cellular telephonenumber.
 8. A method of authorizing and monetizing a cellular telephonecommunication as a collect call as claimed in claim 7 includingmaintaining, in said designated data store, one or both of an approvedlist of cellular telephone numbers and a deny-service list of cellulartelephone numbers, said determining whether said cellular telephonecarrier and said cellular telephone is enabled includes accessing saidapproved list and deny-service list of cellular telephone numbers.
 9. Amethod of authorizing and monetizing a cellular telephone communicationas a collect call as claimed in claim 8 including accepting charge-backdata for a cellular telephone number and recording the charge-backcellular telephone number in said deny-service list in said designateddata store.
 10. A method of authorizing and monetizing a cellulartelephone communication as a collect call as claimed in claim 9 whereinsaid determining authorization includes an interactive voice responseand data reply with said cellular telephone.
 11. A method of authorizingand monetizing a cellular telephone communication as a collect call asclaimed in claim 10 wherein facilitating said connection between saidcalling party and said called party via said cellular telephone and saidtelecommunications system includes generating a connection data packetdirected to said telecommunications system.
 12. A method of authorizingand monetizing a cellular telephone communication as a collect call asclaimed in claim 11 wherein initiating said predetermined billing chargeincludes generating a billing data packet directed to said cellulartelephone carrier associated with said cellular telephone number.
 13. Amethod of authorizing and monetizing a cellular telephone communicationas a collect call as claimed in claim 12 wherein facilitating saiddenial of completion of said collect cellular telephone call includesgenerating a call denied data packet directed to said telecommunicationssystem.
 14. A method of authorizing and monetizing a cellular telephonecommunication as a collect call, billed to an identifiable cellulartelephone, over a telecommunications system, initiated by a callingparty over said telecommunications system with an input of a cellulartelephone number associated with said identifiable cellular telephone,said cellular telephone associated with a cellular telephone carrier,the method comprising: identifying said cellular telephone carrierassociated with said cellular telephone number after a call is initiatedby said calling party; determining whether said cellular telephonecarrier and said cellular telephone is enabled to accept a billingcharge for a message service communications protocol directed towardssaid cellular telephone; in the event said carrier and cellulartelephone is enabled to accept said billing charge, seeking a positiveresponse to an inquiry directed to a called party possessing saidcellular telephone, approving the collect cellular telephone callinitiated by said calling party; in the event of said positive response,(a) facilitating a connection between said calling party and said calledparty via said cellular telephone and said telecommunications system and(b) initiating a predetermined billing charge for said message servicecommunications protocol and associating said predetermined billingcharge with said cellular telephone number; and in the event of (a) afailure by said carrier to be enabled to accept said billing charge forthe message service communications protocol; (b) a failure of saidcellular telephone to be enabled to accept said billing charge for themessage service communications protocol; or (c) an absence of saidpositive response to said inquiry directed to said called partypossessing said cellular telephone, then facilitating a denial ofcompletion of said collect cellular telephone call by said calling partyto said called party.
 15. A method of authorizing and monetizing acellular telephone communication as a collect call as claimed in claim14 wherein said initiating said predetermined billing charge includesgenerating billing charge data with said cellular telephone number andsending said billing charge data to said cellular telephone carrier. 16.A method of authorizing and monetizing a cellular telephonecommunication as a collect call as claimed in claim 14 including, inconjunction with said facilitating said connection, facilitatingactivation of a timing function to limit a duration of said connectionbetween said connection between said calling party and said called partyvia said cellular telephone.
 17. A method of authorizing and monetizinga cellular telephone communication as a collect call as claimed in claim14 wherein said identifying said cellular telephone carrier associatedwith said cellular telephone number interacts with an automatic numberidentification service.
 18. A method of authorizing and monetizing acellular telephone communication as a collect call as claimed in claim17 wherein said determining whether said cellular telephone carrier andsaid cellular telephone is enabled to accept said billing charge forsaid message service communications protocol includes accessing one ormore data stores.
 19. A method of authorizing and monetizing a cellulartelephone communication as a collect call as claimed in claim 18including recording, in a designated data store, which is one of saidone or more data stores, said predetermined billing charge, time-baseddata associated therewith and said cellular telephone number.
 20. Amethod of authorizing and monetizing a cellular telephone communicationas a collect call as claimed in claim 19 wherein determining whethersaid cellular telephone carrier and said cellular telephone is enabledto accept said billing charge for said message service communicationsprotocol includes accessing said designated data store and determiningthe presence of a record of said cellular telephone number after saidcall is initiated by said calling party.
 21. A method of authorizing andmonetizing a cellular telephone communication as a collect call asclaimed in claim 20 including maintaining, in said designated datastore, one or both of an approved list of cellular telephone numbers anda deny-service list of cellular telephone numbers, said determiningwhether said cellular telephone carrier and said cellular telephone isenabled to accept said billing charge for said message servicecommunications protocol includes accessing said approved list anddeny-service list of cellular telephone numbers.
 22. A method ofauthorizing and monetizing a cellular telephone communication as acollect call as claimed in claim 20 including accepting charge-back datafor a cellular telephone number and recording the charge-back cellulartelephone number in said deny-service list in said designated datastore.
 23. A method of authorizing and monetizing a cellular telephonecommunication as a collect call as claimed in claim 14 wherein saidseeking said positive response includes an interactive voice responseand data reply with said cellular telephone.
 24. A method of authorizingand monetizing a cellular telephone communication as a collect call asclaimed in claim 14 wherein facilitating said connection between saidcalling party and said called party via said cellular telephone and saidtelecommunications system includes generating a connection data packetdirected to said telecommunications system.
 25. A method of authorizingand monetizing a cellular telephone communication as a collect call asclaimed in claim 14 wherein initiating said predetermined billing chargefor said message service communications protocol includes generating abilling data packet directed to said cellular telephone carrierassociated with said cellular telephone number.
 26. A method ofauthorizing and monetizing a cellular telephone communication as acollect call as claimed in claim 14 wherein facilitating said denial ofcompletion of said collect cellular telephone call includes generating acall denied data packet directed to said telecommunications system. 27.A method of authorizing and monetizing a cellular telephonecommunication as a collect call as claimed in claim 15 including, inconjunction with said facilitating said connection, facilitatingactivation of a timing function to limit a duration of said connectionbetween said connection between said calling party and said called partyvia said cellular telephone.
 28. A method of authorizing and monetizinga cellular telephone communication as a collect call as claimed in claim27 wherein said identifying said cellular telephone carrier associatedwith said cellular telephone number interacts with an automatic numberidentification service.
 29. A method of authorizing and monetizing acellular telephone communication as a collect call as claimed in claim28 wherein said determining whether said cellular telephone carrier andsaid cellular telephone is enabled to accept said billing charge forsaid message service communications protocol includes accessing one ormore data stores.
 30. A method of authorizing and monetizing a cellulartelephone communication as a collect call as claimed in claim 29including recording, in a designated data store, which is one of saidone or more data stores, said predetermined billing charge, time-baseddata associated therewith and said cellular telephone number.
 31. Amethod of authorizing and monetizing a cellular telephone communicationas a collect call as claimed in claim 30 wherein determining whethersaid cellular telephone carrier and said cellular telephone is enabledto accept said billing charge for said message service communicationsprotocol includes accessing said designated data store and determiningthe presence of a record of said cellular telephone number after saidcall is initiated by said calling party.
 32. A method of authorizing andmonetizing a cellular telephone communication as a collect call asclaimed in claim 31 including maintaining, in said designated datastore, one or both of an approved list of cellular telephone numbers anda deny-service list of cellular telephone numbers, said determiningwhether said cellular telephone carrier and said cellular telephone isenabled to accept said billing charge for said message servicecommunications protocol includes accessing said approved list anddeny-service list of cellular telephone numbers.
 33. A method ofauthorizing and monetizing a cellular telephone communication as acollect call as claimed in claim 32 including accepting charge-back datafor a cellular telephone number and recording the charge-back cellulartelephone number in said deny-service list in said designated datastore.
 34. A method of authorizing and monetizing a cellular telephonecommunication as a collect call as claimed in claim 33 wherein saidseeking said positive response includes an interactive voice responseand data reply with said cellular telephone.
 35. A method of authorizingand monetizing a cellular telephone communication as a collect call asclaimed in claim 34 wherein facilitating said connection between saidcalling party and said called party via said cellular telephone and saidtelecommunications system includes generating a connection data packetdirected to said telecommunications system.
 36. A method of authorizingand monetizing a cellular telephone communication as a collect call asclaimed in claim 35 wherein initiating said predetermined billing chargefor said message service communications protocol includes generating abilling data packet directed to said cellular telephone carrierassociated with said cellular telephone number.
 37. A method ofauthorizing and monetizing a cellular telephone communication as acollect call as claimed in claim 36 wherein facilitating said denial ofcompletion of said collect cellular telephone call includes generating acall denied data packet directed to said telecommunications system. 38.A system for authorizing and monetizing a cellular telephonecommunication as a collect call, billed to an identifiable cellulartelephone, over a telecommunications system, initiated by a callingparty over said telecommunications system with an input of a cellulartelephone number associated with said identifiable cellular telephone,said cellular telephone associated with a cellular telephone carrier,the system comprising: means for identifying said cellular telephonecarrier associated with said cellular telephone number after a call isinitiated by said calling party; means for determining whether saidcellular telephone carrier and said cellular telephone is enabled toaccept a message service billing charge and generating an enablementsignal; an interactive voice response module, coupled to said means fordetermining enablement, generating signals representing a request forauthorization of said collect cellular call directed to a called partyon said cellular telephone, said interactive voice response moduleincluding means for determining a positive response from said calledparty; means for facilitating a connection between said calling partyand said called party via said cellular telephone; means for initiatinga predetermined billing charge for said connection to said cellulartelephone number; and means for denying completion of said collectcellular telephone call coupled to said means for determining enablementand said interactive voice response module in the absence of saidenablement signal or in the absence of said positive response from saidcalled party.
 39. A system for authorizing and monetizing a cellulartelephone communication as a collect call as claimed in claim 38including means for activating a call timer to limit a duration of saidconnection, said means for activating said call timer coupled to saidmeans for facilitating said connection.
 40. A system for authorizing andmonetizing a cellular telephone communication as a collect call asclaimed in claim 39 including one or more data stores and wherein saidmeans for determining whether said cellular telephone carrier and saidcellular telephone is enabled to accept said message service billingcharge includes means for accessing said one or more data stores.
 41. Asystem for authorizing and monetizing a cellular telephone communicationas a collect call as claimed in claim 40 wherein one or more data storesincludes a designated data store, and the system includes means forrecording, in said designated data store, said predetermined billingcharge, time-based data associated therewith and said cellular telephonenumber.
 42. A system for authorizing and monetizing a cellular telephonecommunication as a collect call as claimed in claim 41 wherein saidmeans for determining whether said cellular telephone carrier and saidcellular telephone is enabled includes means for accessing saiddesignated data store and means for determining the presence of anearlier record of said cellular telephone number.
 43. A system forauthorizing and monetizing a cellular telephone communication as acollect call as claimed in claim 42 wherein said designated data storeincludes one or both of an approved list of cellular telephone numbersand a deny-service list of cellular telephone numbers, said means fordetermining whether said cellular telephone carrier and said cellulartelephone is enabled includes means for accessing said approved list anddeny-service list of cellular telephone numbers.
 44. A system forauthorizing and monetizing a cellular telephone communication as acollect call as claimed in claim 43 including means for acceptingcharge-back data for said cellular telephone number and means forrecording the charge-back cellular telephone number in said deny-servicelist in said designated data store.
 45. A computer readable mediumcontaining programming instructions for authorizing and monetizing acellular telephone communication as a collect call, billed to anidentifiable cellular telephone, over a telecommunications system,initiated by a calling party over said telecommunications system with aninput of a cellular telephone number associated with said identifiablecellular telephone, said cellular telephone associated with a cellulartelephone carrier, the programming instructions comprising: identifyingsaid cellular telephone carrier associated with said cellular telephonenumber after a call is initiated by said calling party; determiningwhether said cellular telephone carrier and said cellular telephone isenabled to accept a message service billing charge; if said carrier andsaid cellular telephone is enabled, determining an authorization by apositive response from a called party on said cellular telephone, and(a) facilitating a connection between said calling party and said calledparty via said cellular telephone and (b) initiating a predeterminedbilling charge therefor to said cellular telephone number; and if saidcarrier or said cellular telephone is not enabled or no authorization isobtained from said called party, facilitating a denial of completion ofsaid collect cellular telephone call by said calling party to saidcalled party.
 46. A computer readable medium containing programminginstructions for authorizing and monetizing a cellular telephonecommunication as a collect call as claimed in claim 45 including, inconjunction with said facilitating said connection, facilitatingactivation of a timing function to limit a duration of said connectionbetween said connection between said calling party and said calledparty.
 47. A computer readable medium containing programminginstructions for authorizing and monetizing a cellular telephonecommunication as a collect call as claimed in claim 46 wherein saididentifying said cellular telephone carrier associated with saidcellular telephone number interacts with an automatic numberidentification service.
 48. A computer readable medium containingprogramming instructions for authorizing and monetizing a cellulartelephone communication as a collect call as claimed in claim 47 whereinsaid determining whether said cellular telephone carrier and saidcellular telephone is enabled to accept said message service billingcharge includes accessing one or more data stores.
 49. A computerreadable medium containing programming instructions for authorizing andmonetizing a cellular telephone communication as a collect call asclaimed in claim 48 including recording, in a designated data store,which is one of said one or more data stores, said predetermined billingcharge, time-based data associated therewith and said cellular telephonenumber.
 50. A computer readable medium containing programminginstructions for authorizing and monetizing a cellular telephonecommunication as a collect call as claimed in claim 49 whereindetermining whether said cellular telephone carrier and said cellulartelephone is enabled to accept said message service billing chargeincludes accessing said designated data store and determining thepresence of an earlier record of said cellular telephone number.
 51. Acomputer readable medium containing programming instructions forauthorizing and monetizing a cellular telephone communication as acollect call as claimed in claim 50 including maintaining, in saiddesignated data store, one or both of an approved list of cellulartelephone numbers and a deny-service list of cellular telephone numbers,said determining whether said cellular telephone carrier and saidcellular telephone is enabled includes accessing said approved list anddeny-service list of cellular telephone numbers.
 52. A computer readablemedium containing programming instructions for authorizing andmonetizing a cellular telephone communication as a collect call asclaimed in claim 51 including accepting charge-back data for a cellulartelephone number and recording the charge-back cellular telephone numberin said deny-service list in said designated data store.
 53. A computerreadable medium containing programming instructions for authorizing andmonetizing a cellular telephone communication as a collect call asclaimed in claim 52 wherein said determining authorization includes aninteractive voice response and data reply with said cellular telephone.